AMES, Iowa (CNN)– He’s not here. He’s not even a formal candidate as of now. But Fred Thompson does have a presence at the straw poll in Ames, Iowa. Unofficial supporters of the former Senator from Tennessee and television and big screen actor have set up a booth here on the campus of Iowa State University.

I spoke with one of the supporters manning the Thompson booth. He is a college student from Texas. He says he has no connection what so ever to Thompson’s testing the waters committee.

He did tell me that business was good and that he and his fellow Thompson supporters manning the booth distrubted 15,000 Thompson bumper stickers today. I can’t verify that number in any way, but I did notice a number of people come up to the Thompson booth to grab a bumper sticker or button.

Thompson’s expected to formally announce his candidacy for President sometime after Labor Day.

Republicans are desperate for another Reagan. Wanted: a good public speaker with limited intelligence who can win votes while being manipulated by his "advisors." Acting experience desirable. Candidate must have his own library of homespun platitudes and have a fatherly demeanor. Must not object to multi-trillion dollar deficits. Must believe that control of the world's economy by global corporations to be "free enterprise." Must be able to talk about family values even if his children won't speak to him and his third wife no longer sleeps with him. Must be able to speak the phrase "liberal media" with a straight face. Apply to RNC.

Even most Democrats will grudgingly admit that the Reagan years were an overall success and that he was a welcome change from the Carter debacle. Was Reagan's presidency perfect? No, but whose presidency has been?

But to your point, Thompson is not what we need at this time. He's an empty suit and has no record to speak of. As an Independent Tennessean, I would not recommend him to the electorate.